Top 4 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in the DMV

Looking for a place to lace up your skates and show off your stuff this winter? There are a few awesome outdoor ice skating rinks can be found throughout the DC area. Here are a few places you and your family can enjoy some winter fun and a cup of hot chocolate.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink - Ice skating amidst works of art at the ice rink located in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden. Open from mid-November until mid-March. Tickets are sold in two-hour sessions beginning on the hour. If you aren’t prepared to begin skating at the top of the hour, you could end up waiting a while to skate. This is especially true during crowded weekends. To make the most of your time, buy your ticket first and if time permits, take the opportunity to visit the works of art in the surrounding Sculpture Garden.National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Open Nov. 18, 2017 – March 11, 2018. Cost: $8.50 adults, $7.50 children/age 50+/students, $3 rentals

The Watergate Hotel’s Top of the Skate - Top of the Gate, one of the District’s most popular rooftop bars at The Watergate Hotel, has added a winter wonderland complete with 360-degree views of the city skyline and nearby Arlington, Va. Enjoy a unique skating experience on the rooftop’s synthetic rink, which has a skate-up bar serving seasonal cocktails both warm and cold. Top of the Skate has fire pits and couches for lounging. Cap off your skating session with a luxury igloo experience downstairs at The Next Whisky Bar, where 12-foot heated domes on the bar’s outdoor terrace are available to rent for parties of 2-8 people. (The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037) Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-10 p.m. Opens on Nov. 16. Cost: $20 adults, $10 children